Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-24

rolled Ike ice down my back. MY hands were cold
horrors and expected every minute the poisonous
fangs to enter my flesh. For a moment was power
stepped slowly and cautiously backwards, stop
n nins down my ensss.. and my hai Sp chung vet
chill OF horror at every rattle Of the stones under
my tread. Slowly, slowly back to the hard stone
in every step When felt that i had gone as far
as could my Joints gave way, and fell in help
cold and Shiny pass quickly over my hand. ]
started with shudder. heard again the dreaded
body. Icould see nothing, but knew that terri
pie mead with It's sharp and poisonous fangs dis
strike, but uncertain where! My flesh Qulvered,
but did not move. ceased to breath. I was
frozen with terror: And that was my salvation:
felt him slide of my body.
still lay motionless was no longer lanQuid or
and thoughts ran Tot through my br nh Knew
that must lie still on my back until some light
should come, that might see to escape. But
had gone out. 1 had struck the wall and the light
had vanished fantastic superstition again
sea aed TIM me , TINS gave way TO reason and felt
sun would give me light Hours dragged in agony.
lay there and dare not move. The Jagged rocks
We're passing Into my flesh and my limbs were
cramped. The darkness settled over me until it
had weight and substance, ana IL stiled me. My
bag Of gold had fallen on me as FELL and with the
added weight OF hours felt 1t crushing me- But
feared to throw 1t of. The reptile might be Sleep
Ing at my side! Each hour became more faint
could feel its irregular beating and each pulsation
made q crashing sound in my ears.
could not tell how long had been In the cave,
OF night had passed. Still there came no ray of
lign5mno hope! And the hours crept on.
knew, then, that had never prayed before. I
opened my eyes and there was bar OF golden
iiignt across my face, and the whole cave was
Then my heart ran over with gratitude, and
Thought II was the sun OF Christmas morning.
,n wren stood In the open day at the mouth OF
West, and 1t was just the time or day had en-
tered the cave Then mystery was suddenly re-
and 1t was dark. The light entered through
Deep narrow crevice. Only at short time, when
the suns rays fell at csrtain ANGLE did the light
penetrate into the cave. once In twenty-four
hours 1t fingered for a few minutes had lain
there twenty-four hours
The presence OF the reptile at that time of year
accounted as due TO the warmth OF the cave l
chung TO my treasures so dearly bought, and strug-
gled on away from The scene of my terrible adven-
country, and found countryman TO drive me back
10 tne city: huddled my gold close under my feet,
ana told MIN IT was only pretty stones. feared
he would want some, and lied.
AND In the city all the people were glad with
Christmas Christmas dinner shad been finished
The snow was falling, and children with tin-horns
and drums were making the streets merry. Bells
every sound.
These sights and sounds made no impression on
me. was possessed OF an eagerness TO learn the
value OF my treasure. / knew the Office OF the as
Sayer was closed, but could not wait until MORN
ing could not take the time to 20 to my own
nome 10 relieve the anxiety OF my family.
iounu tne aSSayer In the heart or his family
WIN MS children gathered around his knee seek
ing MS admiration for their toys IL was hard to
get MIN 70 give me attention. forced him to hear
me, ana Id my store OF gold before him put
my Dag on his parlor table, and opened to his Gaze
the SHINING metal. He stood looking at il In
silence. He picked up q small piece and looked ar
cold, analytical face.
He stopped TO take piece OF candy the baby
was holding toward him.
speak man." cried with Impotence, "what
Is IL worth? Ny gold My -.u
He turned quickly to the table, and. tearing a
iea afro rom nook, wrote:
quart"
"NO gold
When felt the cold air in my face and heard the
tumult OF glad Christmas noises on the street 1
lSit my SIN and my punishment. / found home
VI mourning and anxiety; but my return soon
uispelled THIS, and saw my children and my wife
ABOUT me, made happy by my sale return.
ana was thankful. Then my wife brought me a
ietler In one or the bank envelopes anu felt a
half-guilty dread.
IT was from the president He said that in
odnk run Dy Oh fogies upon Old fogy principles,
where no gambling with stocks was done Tmy
hands trembledl promotion was slow: but ne
added, where honesty, worth. and merit were
SHOWN, IL was sure. II gave him pleasure TO an
nOunce that the directors had decided to make NV
Conhectloh with the bank more In accordance
with my merits.
And 1t was Christmas, the day of the redemp
ton.